Give a good job interview.

Job interviews are your chance to show your prospective employer why you, out of all the other candidates who applied for the position, would be the best fit for the company. The above 12 interview tips will help you ensure that you give a good job interview, and increase your chances of getting that job!

1. Approach each interview as if it is your first.
   Don’t let previous interview turn-downs discourage you. Each employer is different, and each “no” brings you one step closer to a yes!

2. Research the organization before the interview.
   Show your interviewer you are excited to work at their company specifically and tell them why. Your interviewer will be flattered and impressed and will be more likely to hire you.

3. If it was you who asked for the interview, set a time limit.
   Use a specific time limit, such as nineteen minutes (as twenty minutes will sound too vague). Use a timer that will vibrate after seventeen minutes, then wrap up the interview, and tell the interviewer, “I said I would only take nineteen minutes of your time, and I like to honor my agreements.” Only stay longer if they beg you to.

4. Observe the 50/50 rule.
   That means you should do half the talking and allow the interviewer to do half the talking.

5. Observe the twenty-second to two-minute rule.
   This means that when it is your turn to speak/answer a question, only speak for twenty seconds to two minutes.

6. Demonstrate how you will help increase the organization’s effectiveness, service, and bottom line.
   For example, focus on the interviewer’s agenda and not yours, show up on time or ahead of time, etc.

7. Grab a piece of paper and write down the experiences you’ve had that demonstrate you have any of the skills from this list:
   Punctuality, dependability, a good attitude, drive, and enthusiasm, desire more than a paycheck, self-disciplined and well-organized with good time management, good at handling people, can use language effectively, is committed to teamwork, is flexible and adaptable, loves to learn, is project- and goal-oriented, has creative problem-solving skills, has integrity, is loyal, and can identify opportunities, markets and coming trends.
   Bring these experiences up in your interview. It will be even better if you can bring physical evidence of your skills, for example, if you are an artist, bring a piece of art.

8. Do not bad-mouth your previous employer(s) during an interview.
   This will only make your interviewer worry about what you would say about them after they hire you.

9. Look at the motivation behind the questions the interviewer asks you.
   For example, if you are asked the question “have you ever done this kind of work before?” the interviewer is afraid you do not have the necessary skills for the job. So, you should reassure the interviewer that you have transferable skills and were good at your previous job.

10. Once the interviewer starts asking about the future, it’s time for you to ask more specific questions about the job.
    Ask questions to understand what your responsibilities would be, who you would report to, how you would be evaluated, etc.

11. End the interview properly.
    At the end of the interview, ask them for the job. If they say something along the lines of “we need more time”, ask them the following when is the latest you can expect to hear back from, and if it’s alright to contact them after that date. If they answered no to your first question, ask them if they would know anyone else who might be interested in your skills and experience.

12. Send a thank-you note after the interview.
    This will help the interviewer remember who you are, and shows them that you have good people skills.